Corn picker and husker



March 26, 1929. RQSENTHAL 1,706,823

001m PIcKER AND HUSKER Filed 0ct.16, 1926' 4 Sheets-Shet 1 March 26, 1929.

A. ROSENTHAL CORN PICKER AND HUSKER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 16, 1926 March 26, 1929. A, ROSENTHAL 1306,823

CORN PICKER AND HUSKER Filed Oct. 16, 1926 -4 sheat s-Sheet 3 UM Q) w/JEM% Z fly March 26,1929. m A. ROSENTHAL l ,706,8 23

CORN PICKER AND HUSKER Filed 001:.16, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 26, 1929.

UNITE STA'lES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST BOSENTHAL, or wnsr ALLIS, Wiscons n, .ASSIGNOR r0 ROSENTI-IAL MANU- FACTURING 00., or wns'r ALLIS, WISCONSIN.

CORFI PIGKER AND HUSKER.

Application filed October 16, 1926. Serial No. 141,988.

This invention pertains to improvements in corn pickers and huskers.

Heretofore numerous attempts have been made to produce a practical machine for picking and husking corn in the field, but these have proven impractical due to various objectionable features, such as complicity of structure, excessive weight, or the amount of power required to operate the same;

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a comparatively simple, light, inexpensive and efficient machine adapted to pick ears of corn from the standing stalks in the field, and thereafter husk and deliver the ears to a point from which they may be discharged into a trailer, or other suitable receptacle.

it is also an object to provide a machine of the foregoing character, wherein novel means provided for collecting the kernels accidentally separated from the ears of corn during either the picking or husking operations, and eliminating the husks.

A further object incidental to the foregoing, is to utilize gravity in transferring the cars from the picker rolls, to, and through, the hnsking mechanism, thus eliminating mechanical feeds, or conveyors.

Another object is to provide gathering means adapted to guide the stalks into the machine, as the same is propelled forwardly, and bend them rearwardly to a more parallel position with relation to the picking rolls, thus utilizing the full length of the rolls in the picking operation and facilitating the passage of the stalks through the rolls, whereby thespeed at which the machine may be operated is materially increased.

A more specific object is to provide means for supporting the ears as the stalks travel into the machine, whereby the ears are pre' rented from becoming se iaratedfrom the stalks prior to the pic ing operation.

A still further object isto provide means between the picking and husking rolls. to assist in guiding the stalk; through the pick ing rolls, and to prevent their engagement with the hnsking rolls.

lVith the above and other objects in. view, which will appear as the description procccds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood thatsuch changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing is illus trated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the present invent-ion constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, with parts being broken away and in section to. more clearly illustrate the structural details.

Figure 2 is a plan view. Figure 3 is a plan sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure Figure 4 is a detail plan sectional view of the conveyor for receiving the hushed ears, and the-aprons for guiding the separated kernels into the conveyor.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a similar section takenon the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a detail view of the head which carries one end of the picking and husking rolls, the same being taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse section through the picking rolls, and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one of the drives, the same being indicated by the line 38 of F igure 3.

In that form of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the same is designed for attachment to any conventional type of tractor, the latter not being shown. 'It will, however, be appai ent that the principles embodied might readily be applied to a horse-drmvn, or a self-propelled implement, without depart-- ing from the invention.

Proceeding with the description of the structure disclosed in the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates a main frame having extended therefrom the usual 45 sprockets 7/ dividers which straddle the row of corn and guide the, same'to the gathering chains 2" carried, thereby. The gathering chains comprise'two sets a: and b, respectively, the 'set'b extending rearwardly and terminating at a point adjacent theforward ends of the .picking'rolls,'while the set (1 extends over the picking rolls to assist int-he feed of the 'stalks"' tl1rough"the picking rolls, in the manner to, be hereinafter descr'ibedl The pi'cking rolls 3 are of conventional structure embodying spiral ribs and pro- "vided with longitudinal ribs to facilitate- T snapping the ears from' the stalks as the 5 letter travelthrough the rolls. The rolls 0 are journaled at their forward ends in the I brackets 4 carried on the main frame, and

' [shown in Figure 7 Inasmuch as the pickingrol-ls are designed to dischargethe separated ears laterally, it has been found expedient to position theaxis oflone' of the rolls slightly 5 below that 'of the adjacent Troll: This arrangement Inaterially facilitatesthe proper discharge of the ears from the 'pickingrolls, 'To further vassist in this operation theradial pins or lugs 0 are secured to the highest oneof the rolls, which '35 pins exert'a' Wiping action against the ears f forcing them ofl' therolls.

Both, sets ofigatherin'gi chains a and b are I of; the ordinary, link type provided with lugs 9, whiclnfthrough'out certain portions of the stretches of 'the chain, overlap with the lugs of the adjacent chain'to feed the stalksrearwardlyinto the "machine. ilflach set COHIPIISGS a pair of chains, one positioned above the other and carried by 'mounted upon "longitudinal shelves, As'best shown-in'Figui-es 2, 5, and 6, the lowershelves 10 are spaced suflicient apart 'to permit; the stalks. to travel ithcrebetween, and at-the same timesupport the earslcarried b the stalks to )revent them y a from becoming accidentally:broken oil, As

best shownfiir Figure 2,:ione of the shelves I terminates closelyadjacent the forward ends oft-the snapping, rolls 3 to permit the ears throughout their entire length. a I v From the foregoingit will be'fseen that any ears, whichbec-ome accidentally detached from the stalks after the sameenterthe gathering'chains, will be received bythe shelves' 10, and thereafter" carried to the -p'ickingrolls by lugs 9 of the gathering chains'2. I I

Secured to the a frame above the lower c5 ends of the'pickingl rolls-is affiexible flap a llel therewith. :15 is carried by the trough lat and is probe engaged bytheirollsnat that point and r 3' arranged to permit passage of the stalks to the'picking rolls, and at the same time prer'ent any possibility of the snapped or separated ears from being discharged at the bottom of the picking rolls.

Positioned adjacent one side of the pick ing rolls and slightly below the same are a pair of husking rolls 11 of a cmiventional structure, having their lower ends carried by the frame 1, while their upper ends are carried by the cross-head 5, in a manner similar to the picking rolls, that is-one of therolls is mounted in a stationary bcaring, while the adjacent roll is journalcd in the sliding bearing 6 normally urged towards the stationary bearing by the spring 7. Like the snapping rolls, the husking rolls are journalled one below the otherto facilitate the lateral discharge of the cars there- 1 from. A conventional type of beater 11 is positioned-above the husking rolls and rotates in a reverse direction to the travel of the ears of corn upon the husking rolls, thus serving to prevent the cars from traveling'downthe rolls one upon the other, or too rapidly to permit proper husking.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 5 a guide 12 is positioned adjacent and parallel to the husking rolls and serves to prevent the ears of cornfrom being discharged from the rolls throughout the upper portion of their length, the guide terminating adjacent the lower end of the rolls to allow the corn, after reaching that point, to be discharged laterally. The guide 12 is preferably constructed of flexible material, such as leather or rubber, and is supported by brackets 13 carried by the main frame and the cross head. It will thus be seen that should the material become clogged upon the husking rolls, the guide 12 will give, permitting the material to be discharged laterally therefrom. 7

As the ears of corn are discharged laterally from the lower end of the inclined husking rolls, the same are received in the conveyor trough 14 positioned immediately below the husking rolls and extending par- The usual chain conrcyor vided with paddles 15 which carry the cars of corn to the top of the trough, from which point they may be discharged into a trailer,

or other suitable receptacle.

In ordcrwto prevent possible discharge of the cars from the lower end of the conveyor trough 14, as the earsare delivered thereto from the husking rolls, a flexible llap 17 is suspended from the frame 1 adjacent the lower end of the trough. The flap being flexible permits the paddles 16 to travel past, but at the same time prevents the ears of corn from leaving the trough.

During the picking and husking opcrations, particularly the latter, there is more loo ll l

or less tendency for kernels to become accidentally separated from the ears, depending upon the condition of the corn. It is therefore desirable to provide some means for collecting loose kernels during the above operations, and at the same time provide means to prevent discharge of the husks into the conveyor; This is accomplished in the present instance by an inclined apron 18 positioned immediately below the husking rolls and extending throughout their entire length, parallel thereto, but having its lower edge terminatii'ig short of the side of the conveyor trough 14, as shown in Figures 42 and 5. By this arrangement it will be seen that kernels of corn passing through the husking rolls will fall upon the apron l and thereafter slide down the same into the conveyor trough 14. At the same time the upper edge of the apron 18 terminates inside of the edge of the hue ring roll and leaves sufficient space for the: ears discharged from the bushing rolls, to pass into the corn veyor trough under the apron.

In order to collect the kernels of corn separated during the picking operation, a similar apron 19 is secured to the main frame and extends under the picking rolls, as best snown in Figure The kernels dropping through 'tllfllJlClilllQ, rolls will on gage the apron l9 and will be directed clownwardly toward the apron 18 from which they are discharged into the conveyor trough in a similar manner to the kernels received from the husking rolls.

In order to protect the lower end of the conveyor chain 15, which is in close proximity to the ground, a housing 520 is built around the same andseeured to the main frame 1. This housing, in addition to serving as a guard for the conveyor chain, also forms apocket to receive kernels of corn means to assist in guiding the stalks through the picking rolls to prevent their entanglement with the husking rolls. This is accomplished by the guard 1', which is part of the main frame, and is positioned below and between the picking and hnsking rolls, extencing )arallel therewith, best seen in Figure As previously explained, that form of the invention illustrated in the drawings is designed for attachment to a conventional type of structure. Therefore the main frame 1 is provided with lateral braces 21 extending from one side thereof for attachment toa conventional tract-or in any suitable manner. The opposite side of the frame is supported by a wheel 22 carried by the bracket 23.

Taking up the drive for the ,various mechanisms, power is transmitted to the machine through the transverse shaft 24 mounted on the frame adjacent its upper end. The shaft 2% is provided with a pulley 25, which, in instances where theniachine is attached to a tractor, may be connected by a belt, or in any other suitable manner, to thepo'wcr pulley of the tractor. To drive the picking and husking rolls a bevel gear 26 is secured on the shaft 24; and meshes with a bevel gear 27 carried on the upper end of one of the husking rolls 11, which roll is also provided with a spur gear 28 meshing with a spur gear 29 secured on the upper end of the adjacent picking roll 3, The picking rolls are geared together by the spur gears 30 while the husking rolls are likewise connected by the spur gears 31. Thus it will be seen that the rolls of each set are driven toward one another to feed material downwardly therethrough.

The gatliering chains comprising the set are driven by means of the sprockets 32 and 33, respectively, which are mounted upon the vertical shaft 34-. The shaft 34 is in turn connected with the transverse shaft by means of the beveled gear 36. The shaft 35, which parallel with the transverse shaft ill, is provided with a sprocket gear 37 connected by means of a chain with the sprocket gear 38 mounted on the transverse shaft 2 1.

will be noted that the gear 32, driving the upper gathering chain, is larger than the gear 33, thusserving to increase the speed of the upper chain, and causing the stalks to be bent rearwardly as they travel into the pi ck in rolls.

The gathering chains comprising the set 5 are driven in a similar manner by means of the sprockets 39 and i0, respectively, mounted on the aft etl, which is connectc l with the trans shaft 412 by means of bevelled gears i The shaft sl-Q is provided with a sprocket gear 4:4: in chain connection with the sprocket gear mountcd on the transvers shaft 2%. Like the adjacent gathlg chain, the upper chain of the set 5 driven at a greater speed than the lower chain, due to the fact that the drive sprocket 39 is of greater diameter. The sprocket chain, which connects the sprocket gears 4st and 45, also engages the sprocket gear 46, which is secured to the shaft 47 that carries the beater 11. The idler gear 18 is employed to 'hold the sprocket chain in engagement with the sprocket gear 4.6, inasmuch as the latter engages the chain on the outer side of one of its stretches in order to obtain the proper direction of drive of the beater.

.The conveyorchain is driven .by means the sprocket 51 mounted on the shaft 24.

1 Taking up the operation of themachine,

it will be readily seenthat as the machine is propelled or drawn forwardly, the stalks of corn will pass in between the dividers and .will' be engaged by the gathering chainsv V held upon the rolls throughout the upper which pick up'the broken stalks and hold the others in a more or less raised position as. the same move mto the machine. Due to the fact, that the upper gathering chains of bothsets are driven at greater rate of speed than the lower chains, the stalks -w1ll be gradually bentrearwardly as they move into the picking rolls, Wilill'ljllfi result that they assume aposition substantially parallel to the picking rolls During the time thestalks are passing through the dividers and are engaged by the gathering chains, certain of the hanging ears-will be supported by the lower she'lveslO which are spaced apart suf fieiently to'permit the stalks to pass therebetween, but close enough to support the 7 ears. As the stalks enter the picking rolls 3,

the ears are released from their support, due to the fact that one of the shelves 1O terminates adjacentthe forward end of the picking rolls,'and the stalks are then fed downwardly b'etween the picking rolls causing the ea'rsto be pinched or snapped therefrom.

Beca use of the fact that the stalks are .bent rearwardly as they passjdownwardly through the picking rolls, it will be apparent that practically the entire length of the pick mg rolls will-be utilized and due to thefact that the stalks are fed through the rolls axially, rather than transversely, the time required. for such operation is materially reduced, which permitsthe speed at which the machine may be operated, to bematerially increased. 1'

- After the ears have been snapped from the [stalks by the roll 3, thesame are prevented ifr'om being discharged from the'lower end .of the'same, by means of the fiexiblebilap o andv are discharged laterally therefrom by the lugs 0 carried by one of the picking rolls. This action is materially facilitated by the,

factthatone of the picking rolls, over which the ears are to'be discharged, is positioned somewhat below the other. From the picking rolls the ears are delivered to the husking 1- olls,,which remove" the husks in the well known .manner employed by the present husking machines.

Due to the fact that the picking and husk- .ingrolls are positioned parallel and closely adjacent to each other,'with the axis of each successive roll positioned below that of the receding roll, a laterally and forwardly intrough 14 is considerably restricted, the

husks will be prevented from entering the trough and will be discharged upon the ground. v

During the husking operation the cars are portion of their length by means of the flexible flap 12, which terminate adjacent the lower end of the rolls, permitting the ears to be discharged laterally at that point, this action being brought about in a similar manner to the discharge of the ears from the picking rolls, one of the husking rolls being positioned below the other, and one of the rolls being provided with lugs to engage the ears and force them laterally over the adjacent roll.

As the ears leave the husking rolls they pass down between the upper end. of the in clined apron and the side of the conveyor trough 14, and then into the conveyor trough where they are carried upwardly by means of the conveyor chain 15. As previously explained, kernels of corn separated in the picking or husking operation, engage the aprons 19 and 18, respectively, and are delivered into the trough M from which they are discharged with the husked ears.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a comparatively apparently simple, inexpen sive, compact, and e:-;ceedingly light structure has been provided, which actual operalion has demonstrated will efliciently pick and husk corn in the field, very little traction and operating power being required. It

will also be seen that very simple and novel means have been provided for transferri11g the cars from the picking rolls to and through the husking operation, as well as the provision of simple and ellicient means for collecting the separated kernels and at the same t me deflecting and eliminating the husks pa through the huskingx rolls.

Particular attention is directed to the compactness of structure, which of vital im While one specific method of drive has been illustrated and described, obviously various arrangements-may be utilized to accomplish the same results Without affecting the operation of the various mechanisms.

I claim 1. A corn picking and husking machine comprisin a pair of picking rolls, means for guiding standing stalks to thepicking rolls, husking rolls positioned adjacent the picking rolls and parallel thereto, a conveyor to one side of the husking rolls for receiving the husked cars from the said rolls, and. an apron positioned :beloW the husking rolls to deflect the husks from the conveyor.

2. A corn picking and husking machine comprising a pair of picking rolls, means for guiding standing stalks tothe picking rolls, hnsking rolls positioned adjacent the picking rolls and parallel thereto, a conveyor to one side of the husking rolls for receiving the cars from the said rolls,rand an apron positione'd below the hnsking rolls to direct sepa-,

rated kernels into said conveyor and deflecting the husks from said conveyoit 3. A corn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair of downwardly inclined picking rolls, means for guiding standing stalks to said rolls, husking rolls positioned adjacent and parallel to the picking rolls, the axis of each successive picking and husking roll being positionedbeloiv that of the preceding roll, and a conveyor for receiving the ears from the husking rolls.

4. A corn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair of pickingrolls, means for guiding standing stalks to the picking rolls, husking rolls positioned adjacent the picking rolls to receive the ears therefrom, a conveyor positioned beneath the husking rolls for receiving the ears therefrom, means positioned below the hnsking rolisfor deflecting the husks from the conveyor and (in rec'ting separated kernels into the conveyor, and means positioned below the piclnng rolls to direct separated kernels to themeans pose tioned between the bushing rolls andcorn veyor.

, 5. A corn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair of inclined picking olls, means for guiding the stalks to the picking rolls, means positioned adjacent the lower end ofthe picking rolls to permit-passage of stalks therethrongh and prevent the dis charge of ears from the lower ends of the picking rolls, husking rolls positioned ad acent the picking rolls for rcee'ivingt-he ears therefrom, and a conveyor for receiving cars from the huski'ng rolls.

6'. A corn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair ofinclined pickingrolls, means for guiding the stalks to the picking rolls, means positioned adjacent the lower end of the'picking rolls to permit passage stalks therethrough and prevent the dis charge of cars from the lower end ofthe picking rolls, :lmsking rolls positioned adjacent the picking rolls for receiving the ears therefrom, a conveyor for receiving tears from the husking rolls, and means for defleeting the husked cars from said conveyor.

7. A corn picking and husking machine conveyor for receiving the cars from the husking rolls.

A corn picking and husking machine comprising a pairof picking rolls, two pairs of gathering chains for guiding standing stalks to the picking rolls, the top gathering chain of each pair being-drivenat a greater speed than the lower chainto bendthe stalks rearwardly, husking, rolls positioned adja cent the picking rolls to receive ears there from, and a conveyor for receiving the cars from the hnsking rolls.

10. 'A corn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair of picking rolls, means for guiding standing stalks to the picking rolls, husking rolls positioned adjacent the picking rolls for receiving the ears there from, a eonveyorpositioned below said husking .rolls for receiving the ears therefrom, a laterally inclined apron positioned between said huskingroll s and conveyor-to deflect the husks from the conveyor and guide the separated kernels into theconveyor, and a second laterally inclined apron positioned below the picking rolls to direct separated kernels to the fi rst mentioned apron.

11. A corn picking and husking machine comprising a pair of pickingrolls, means for guiding the stalks to the picking rolls, husking rolls positioned adjacent the picking rolls for receiving the cars therefrom, an in clined conveyor for receiving the cars from the husking rolls, and a flexible flap positioned at thebottom of said conveyor to pre vent the discharge of earstherefrom.

12. Acorn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair of picking rolls, means for guiding standing stalks to the icking rolls, husking rolls positioned adjacent the picking rolls for receiving :the ears therefrom, a conveyor for receiving the earsfrom the husking rolls, and ah-ousing surronmling the lower end of the conveyor and: forming a pocket to receive separated kernels from said conveyor.

"13.:- A 500111 picking and. huskingv machine comprising, a-pa1rof1p1ck1ng rolls, means; i for. guiding: standing stalks to L the pickln g rollsfhusking-rolls positioned adjacent the picking rolls to .receiveears'. therefrom, a

conveyor and guide, separated kernels intotheconveyor. j j g I 7 "let; A cornlpickmg and husking machine 7 comprlsingacpairbf inclined picking rolls,

'meanslfor guiding standing stalks to said, picking rolls, flex ble meanspositioned ad a cent tlie loweren'd wof the picking rolls to permit passage ofstalksto the .rolls and prevent theldischarge of'iears from the lower ends of the rolls, husking rollsipositioned" adjacent the picking rolls 'forreceiving ears "therefrom, means positioned above saidhuskingflrolls torretardthe travel of ears thereon, and a conveyor for. receiving cars from the husking-rolls.

. ;15. A corn picking and husking machine picking rolls to receive the ears therefrom,

comprising, a pair of picking rolls, means rolls, husking rollspositioned adjacent the means to prevent the discharge of ears from the husking rollsthroughout the upperport-ion of'their length, and; acon veyor for receiving ears. from the-lower end of said husking rolls. 7 a, r

16. Acorn pickingand husking machine comprising, a pair of: picking. rolls, means for guid ng standing stalks to the picking rolls, a pair'of husking rolls position adjacent the picking rolls torcceive ears therefrom, a flexibleflap positioned adjacent the husking rolls and extending throughout the upper portion of their length to prevent discharge of the ears from the husking rolls,

and -a conveyo r for receiving the ears discharged fronrtheilower end of the husking rolls.

17. A corn picking and husking machine comprising, pair ofpickingrolls, means for guiding stand ng stalks to the picking rolls, means for laterally discharging ears from the picking rolls, husking rolls posi- 1 tioned adjacent and to one sideof the pick ing rolls for receiving ears therefrom, and a conveyor for receiving ears from the huskingrolls.v 7

pickingqand husking machine comprising, a pair of ipiekingrolls, means for guiding standing stalks to the picking rolls, a-lug. carried by one of the picking rolls to discharge the ears laterally therefrom, a pair of husking rolls positioned adjacent said picking rolls to receive the ears for guiding standing stalks to the picking therefrom, and a conveyorfor receiving the ears from the husking rolls.

19. A corn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair of picking rolls, one of said rolls having its axis positioned below extending parallel therewith to prevent entanglement of the stalks with the husking rolls, and a conveyor for receiving ears from the husking rolls. 7

21. A corn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair of picking rolls, gathering chains for guiding stalks to the inclined picking rolls, means for supporting the ears during their travel to the picking rolls, a flexible flap positioned adjacent the lower end of the picking rolls to permit passage of the stalks and prevent discharge of the cars from the lower ends of the picking rolls, husking rolls positioned adjacent and parallel to the picking rolls for receiving ears therefrom, means carried by the picking rolls for laterally discharging the ears therefrom, a flexible fiap positioned adjacent and parallel to the husking rolls throughout the upper portion of their length, a conveyor for receiving ears from the husking rolls, an inclined apron positioned between said husking rolls and conveyor to deflect husks from the conveyor and guide separated kernels into the conveyor, and a second inclined apron positioned below the picking rolls for directing separated kernels to the first ment.i oncd apron.

22. A corn picking and husking machine comprising, a pair of inclined picking rolls, two pairs of gathering chains for guiding standing stalks to the picking rolls, the top chain of each pair being driven at a greatnspeed than the lower chains to bend the stalks rearwardly, means for supporting the ears in their travel to the picking rolls, means carried by the picking rolls to discharge the ears laterally therefrom, a pair of husking rolls positioned adjacent and parallel to the picking rolls to receive ears therefrom, a beater positioned above the husking rolls and rotating in opposite direction to the travel of the ears on the husking rolls, a flexible flap positioned adjacent and parallel. to the husking rolls and extending throughout the upper portion of their length, a conveyor positioned below the husking rolls and parallel thereto for receiving ears therefrom, an inclined apron positioned bet-ween the husking rolls and conveyor to deflect husks from the conveyor and directsepareted kernels to the conveyor, 21 second apron positioned below the picking rolls to direct separated kernels to the first mentioned apron, and a housing snrrounding the lower end of said conveyor [0 form a guard for the conveyor and '21 pocket for lIhQlQCGPlLlOIl of separated kernels 6 in the county of Milwaukee and State of lViseonsin.

AUGUST ROSENTHAL. 

